Folding gaff hook



May 25, 1954 c. H. MARTIN FOLDING GAFF HOOK Filed Dec. 17, 1951 CliftonH. Martin 7 INVENTOR. By 2mm...

nlyuyF/vfg Patented May 25, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements ingaff hook constructions and the principal object of the invention is tostructurally, functionally and otherwise improve upon similarlyconstructed gaff hooks existing in the art to which the inventionrelates.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, practical andreliable gaff hook construction in which manufacturers, retailers andfishermen will find their respective needs and requirements fully metand satisfactorily available.

Another object is to provide a folding gaff hook construction which isadvantageous over prior art constructions in that it is easily foldedfor compact and convenient storage in a tackle box and is readilyprojected to useful position for landing otherwise difiicult-to-handlefish, this through the instrumentality of a conveniently availabletrigger.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a gafi hookconstruction which is strong, reliable and economical and which is lightin weight and is provided with a conveniently arranged clip whereby itmay be handily carried on the users belt in a position to be readilygrasped, gripped and extended to useful position with a single hand bymerely applying a downward whip to the aptly arranged pistol-grip. Morespecifical- 1y, novelty is predicated on a folding gaff book which ischaracterized by a sheath, a hand-grip secured to the inward end of saidsheath, a gaff hook embodying a shank pivoted at one end to the outwardend of said sheath, and a hook having a sharp beak, said sheath havingdetents situated adjacent to said inward end, said detents serving togrip said beak when the latter is folded into its retracted positionrelative to said sheath.

Then, too, novelty is predicated on the aforementioned construction anda complemental trigger which is pivotally mounted in the sheath adjacentto the stated detents and which has a trip member satisfactorilycooperable with the beak of the hook to release the latter from thedetents and to permit the gaff to be swung out to its ready-to-useposition.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparentfrom the following description and the accompanying sheet of drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein like numerals are employedto designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a gaff hook construction constructedin accordance with the principles of the present invention showing thegafi hook extended, retained and ready for use;

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of the construction shown in Figure1;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the same with the gaff hookinfolded or contracted position; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged view in section and elevation detailing thetrigger construction and associated features.

The aforementioned sheath is denoted by the numeral 6. It comprises achannel-shaped member of elongate form which is characterized by a pairof spaced parallel side walls 8-8 and an intervening connecting bightportion l6. indentations are provided in the side walls adjacent theouter end of the sheath and these provide detents l2-I2. Similarindentations are at the inward end construction and these provideopposed friction detents I l-44. The hand-grip is of pistol-grip formand is denoted by the numeral [5 and has a tenon [8 which is fitted andproperly secured between the side walls within the vicinity of thedetents.

The gaff hook is denoted by the numeral 20 and comprises a linearlystraight rigid shank 22 which is pivotally mounted between the outer endportions of the side walls as at 24. The hook portion is denoted at 26and it terminates in a sharpened bill or beak 28.

The aforementioned trigger is denoted as a unit by the numeral 3!} andit comprises a suitably shaped and positioned finger-piece 32, saidfinger-piece extending through a slot 34 provided in the bight portionas best shown in Figure 4- where it is pivoted in place between the sidewalls as at 35. The terminal end constitutesthe trip 38 and this isshaped so that it is opposed to the beak 28 of the hook. With thefinger-piece properly situated in relation to the hand-grip It bycatching hold of the hand-grip and then the finger-piece 32, the lattermay be rocked on its pivot by pulling it in a direction toward thehand-grip. This actuates the trip and the trip in turn engages the beakof the hook and forces the hook from engagement with the detents 28 inwhich position the gafi hook as a unit is now available to be snapped byhand operation to its open and retained position as shown in Figures 1and 2. This can be done by merely whipping the hook to assume its outposition in which position it is retained by the aforementioned frictiondetents 12-42.

The remaining feature to be described is a simple and practical springclip 40 which is suitably secured to an inward end portion of the sheathadjacent to the hand-grip and between the latter and the trigger. Thisprovides an adaptation which permits the entire device to be readilyattached to ones belt where it is ready for use whenever necessary ordesired.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction withthe invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader toobtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features ofmerit and novelty sufficient to clarify the construction of theinvention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts maybe resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made fromthe invention as claimed.

Having thus described the invention, claimed as new is:

1. An anglers folding gaff hook comprising an elongated channel memberhaving spaced walls and a connecting bight portion and defining asheath, a pistol-grip having a tenon fitted and secured between saidwalls at one end of the channel member, said walls, adjacent to saidtenon, having indentations providing opposed friction detents for acooperating gaff hook, a trigger embodying a finger-piece extendingthrough an aperture provided therefor in said bight portion and alsoembodying a trip operable between said walls toward and from saiddetents, and a gaff embodying a shank pivoted for outward swingingbetween the outward end portions of said walls and also embodying a hookreleasably engageable with said detents, said hookhavwhat is 4 ing abeak located for operation between said detents and said trip.

2. An anglers folding gaff comprising a rigid elongate sheath, apistol-type hand-grip afflxed to the inward end of said sheath, aprojectible and retractible gaff embodying a shank pivoted at one end tothe outward end of said sheath, and also embodying a hook having asharpened beak, said sheath embodying opposed walls and said wallshaving friction detents situated in close spaced proximity in relationto said inward end, said gaff being in a retracted state with said beaklocated in the sheath between the hand-grip and friction detents, and atrigger pivotally mounted on said sheath and located between thehand-grip and detents and having a portion in close proximity to saidhand-grip for controlled operation by the fingers of the hand which isclamped around the hand-grip and also having a trip in close operableproximity to said beak whereby when the trigger is operated the tripwill disengage the beak from the detents.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,112,765 Darling Mar. 29, 1938 2,191,170 Keehn et al Feb. 20,1940 2,496,822 Stoddard Feb. '7, 1950 2,506,407 Bonding May 2, 19502,547,273 Febvre et al. Apr. 3, 1951 2.580.361 Muhm Dec. 25. 1951

